Casting apparatus.



PATENTED AUG. 28, 1906.

J. BEAKBANE.

CASTING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APR.29,1905.

Inventar:l

JM s" UNITED -sTATEs PATENT oEEioE.

JAMES BEAKBANE, OF KINGSTON,

NEW YORK. AssIeNoE, BY MEsNEl ASSIGNMENTS, TO DOEHLER & BEAKBAN E MANUFACTURING CO., IA CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

CASTING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 2s, 1906.

Application led April 29, 1,905. Serial No. 268.041.

To all wh/0m, it may concern.: I y

Be it known that I, JAMES BEAKBANE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kingston, in the county of Ulster and State lof New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Casting Apparatus, of which l'the following is a specificatiom'reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof.

I This invention .relates to apparatus designed for rapid casting of metals in khard molds under pressure, and has for its obfect toprovide anv apparatus wherein the mo ten metal may be delivered to the mold in volume and under that pressure required foreach mold and wherein the pressure may be quickly applied and removed to facilitate the handling of the apparatus and the mold and avoid the congealing or freezin of the metal before the mold 1s properly 1i led.

' A further object is to provide an apparatus wherein there are no' working parts coming into direct Contact with or submerged in the molten metal, Whichcan be so affected by such contact as to interfere with the operation `of the lapparatus or limit the grade of metal used therein.

A still further object 1s to provide an apparatus wherein-the relation ofthe mold-support'to the other parts will be such as to maintain the mold at a low temperature compared to the parts of the apparatus attached directly to the melting-pot. y

A- still further object is to provide an apparatus wherein the mold may be quickly and' conveniently placed with relation to the other par-ts of the apparatus to permitthe metal to be delivered thereto and removed from such relation to permit the casting to be rapidly and conveniently removed therefrom to increase the capacity of the apparatus. A still further object is to provide an apparatus wherein the metal delivered to the mold will not be materially oxidized and will be so drawn from the melting-pot as `to-be Vpractically free from impurities.

A still further object is to provide an apparatus wherein the metal may bemelted in one pot and delivered therefrom and subsequently maintained at the proper temperature to a second auxiliary or pressure pot to A still further object is to provide an appa-v `ratus wherein the molten metal may be flowed directly from theQmelting-pot into the auxiliary or pressure pot wlthout materially interfering with the capacity of .the apparatus or permitting the molten metal to partially congeal during this operation.

The invention consists, primarily, in the combination in a casting apparatus of a pot adapted to receive molten metal, means maintaining the same at the required temerature, means whereby molten metal may be introduced into said pot, means whereby metal may be discharged from said pot into a mold, means whereby fluid-pressure may be sup 'lied to said pot, and means controllmg sai pressure, and in such other novel-features of construction and combination of parts as are hereinafter set forth and described and more particularly pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

Referring to the drawings, lFigurel is a view, partly in side elevation and partly in Vvertical section, of a casting apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention; and Fig.V 2v isa view thereof in end elevation, the operating-lever for the displacer and the mold being shown in section. A

Like letters refer to like parts in both said views.

In the embodiment of the invention represented in the drawings a melting-pot a 1s shown located in a gas-furnace b, by which metal in said pot is brought to and maintained. at a suitable temperature and in a molten state. Located in this melting-pot, and preferably so supported and arranged with relatlonthereto as to cause the molten metal .in the melting-pot. to maint-ain the proper temperature in and about it, is an auxiliary or pressure ot-c, which is adapted to have molten meta delivered tn'ereinto from .said melting-pot, preferably by means of an open port therein through which the metal 1n the main pot is caused to flow by raising the level of the -metal in said pot.

The auxiliary or pressure pot cis made airtight, with the exception of an inlet or discharge port d in a nozzle e, projecting above the said. pot c, which port 1s in direct communication or made integral with a duct d Within said pressure-pot c and extending downwardly to a point near the bottom thereof to insure metal passing to the nozzle being takenfrom the bottom of said pot,

where the metal will not be frothy and will be free from dross and at the highest temperature. The port d being of small diameter, I preferably taper the nozzle e both interiorly and exteriorly to give the metal not discharged into the mold suflicient clearance to cause it to drop back into the ductd when the pressure on the pot is relieved and to permit the connection with the mold-support to be similarly tapered to secure a good joint and provide a similar clearance as in the discharge-nozzle. i

To charge the auxiliary or pressure pot c, I preferably use the port d to avoid unnecessary fittings or an increase of openings or the use of any movable or working parts in or near the molten metal and accomplish this purpose by providing means changing the level of the said port relative tothe level of the molten metal in the melting pot (L, thus overflowing the metal in the melting-pot lv into said pressure-pot. This is refera accomplished by displacing the mo ten metal in the melting-pot a by a displacerf, which isfcarried by a shaft g,- mounted in suitable bearings on or adjacent to the saidmeltingpot, and is controlled by a suitable operatlng lever or handle h. To avoid the accidental raising of the level of the metal in the meltingpot a, I preferably make this dis lacer hollow, so that its s eciic gravity wil be less than that of thc mo en metal and yet displace a material quantity. thereof when operated. I also preferably make this displacer of a materialliaving no affinity for the metals used in the apparatus.

For the discharge ofthe molten metal .from the ressure-pot cI an vair connection is von. the topnof the molten metal therein contained. asmuch as the use of this pressure is required only during the interval of charging and is preferably variable to meet the requirements of different molds and metals or the quantity of metal in the pot', means controlling this ressure, as a threeway valve-', is provide This may be supplemented, if desired, by a pressure-regulator on 'the pressure-tank' to 'enable the pressure of the air or gas passing through the connec- I tion 'i to be regulated.

For convenience in -lling the mold from the pot c the mold, (indicated at 70,) is sup-` ported lupon a carrier l, its ingate registering with the bore'of a vshort conductor m, which depends from t e under side of the carrier to cooperate with the extremity of the nozzle e.` The carrier lsarranged to move freely to and Afro and also to be raised tol disengage the conductor m from the nozzle e, and for this purpose it may be provided near` its forward end with wheels or rollers n, arranged to travel in suitable channel-irons o. Toward its rear end the carrier has pivoted thereto at each side a lever p, which 1s provided with a roller q, likewise adapted to travel in the corresponding channel-iron o. have such formas to give their handles locations suitable for operation, and it will be seen that upon raising such handles the rear end of the carrier-l can be raised sufficiently to disengage the conductor m from the nozzle e, whereupon the carrier can be drawn forward,

The levers pits wheels or rollers n and q traveling in the channel-irons o.

Suitable means are provided for exerting pressure upon the mold 4while itis being filled for the purpose'of holding the parts tightly together and also of' securing a tight jointA between the mold and the conductor m., as well as between such conductor and the nozzle e. As shown in the drawings, a bridgepiece 1', mounted adjustably by means of nuts s upon the screw-threaded standards s", receives a press-screw t, provided with a suitable handle .t, 'whereby the necessary 'pressure can be exerted upon-the mold. The

ower end of the screw preferably bears upon a block u, through which the 'pressure is transmitted to the mold, and such block may have pivoted therein a lever v, which may carry a plunger flg-passing through `the mold and adapted to close the ingate thereof.

In the operation of the apparatus metal, preferably at or near its fusing-point,l is placed in the melting-pot a-and brought to and maintained at a temperature required for thoroughly fusing the mass bythe fur-` nace b. The auxiliary or`pressure. pot c, is then filled or partiallyfilled by forcin the displacer f, by means of its lever-han le h,

into the molten metal, thus raisin the levelof the metal -toa oint considera l above the discharg-nozz e e, overflowing t e ot a into the auxiliary or pressure pot c. rior to this charging of the pot c `care must be taken to so turn :the valve 'i' as to relieve the pot c ofl allqpressure and to give a vent toair therein. the'molten metal m the. melting-'potasurrounding it will maintain vthe tem erature of the metal at or near'the fusing-pomt, thus enabling the metal Vthereinl to bedischarged by successive a plications of pressure thereon without rec arging the pot, if desired. The pot c having been charged, the displacer fis released and the metal in the melting-pot will immediatelysink to its former leve leX- posing the nozzle e. The mold carrier, which during the chargin interval has 'been drawn forward to leave t` e port of the nozen the pressure-pot is so charged,

IIO

zle e unobstructed, is then mloved on the v irons or tracks o, the levers p being raised to ,give the conductor m clearance` of the nozzle essary pressure to be transferred to the joint between the conductor m and the nozzle e lwithout bending or rupturing the support of the carrier. The block u 1s then pressed upon the mold on the carrier to substantially close the joints of the mold and prevent the discharge of the metal between the conductor and the nozzle. The lever v, with the plunger w actuated thereby is then raised to open the ingate to the mold and the valve 'i' mum and that the air or gas be applied to thepressure-pot at its' maximumpressure with each casting from the sam mold. When' the mold is filled, pressure must at once be removed from said pot to avoid the congealing of the metal inand about the nozzle e and to pernnt the surplus metal in the said nozzle and its ductand also in the connection m to drop back into the pressure-pot. A further necessity for relievin the pressure-:pot of this pressure is that with the removal of the mold-carrier this pressure and that caused by the expansion of the gases or air from theA heat within the pot, unless there is a vent provided,- would force the molten metal fromthe nozzle', endangering the erson or persons operating the apparatus. ilhe .plunger wis then operated to close the in ate. The screwpressureis released and t e carrier is drawn forward to permit the mold to`be opened and the casting removed. The* mold is then closed and the carrier returned for the refilling of the mold as before, and this operation is repeated until the metalin the auxiliary or pressure pot becomes exhausted, or substantially so, whereupon `it is necessary to again use the displacer to recharge said pot.

It will be observed that in charging and recharging the pressure-pot the dross in the melting-pot will be raised above the portV d,

thus insuring only clean metal entering thepressure-pot c, and, further, that as this metal enters the said pot .c it will either force any dross er frothy metall which may have accumulated in the-pot c out of the duct d or float it into the melting-pot, thus insurin a constant supply of clean metal to the mol This construction not only'admits of the casting of the metal under conditions which insures such rapidity of its discharge as to introduce the metal into the mold without its congealing to an extent to result in imperfections or inaccuracies in the casting, but uniformity in all the castingsmade both as to the quality of the metal and its density. This results in an apparatus which has great capacity and small waste ofy labor and material in its operation.

It is obvious that' various changes lmay be made in the details of construction and arrangement of the apparatus, according to the varied necessities of lts practical use, without 4de arting from the spirit of the invention,

aving described the invention, what I claim as new, and desire to have protected by vLetters Patent, is

1. In a casting apparatus, a melting-pot, a pressure-pot having an open port in its up er portion normally above-the level of meta in said melting-pot, means for maintaining metal in said pots at the re uired temperature, means whereby the leve of the metal in said melting-pot,- relatively to said port, may `be changed to flow metal into said pressurepot through .said port, means whereby fluidpressure may be sup lied to said pressurepot to discharge meta therefrom into a mold, and means controlling said pressure.

' 2. In a casting apparatus, a melting-pot, a pressure-pot having an open port in its upper portion normally above the level of metal in said melting pot, means for maintaining 'metal in said pots at the required temperature, a duct extending downwardly to a point near the bottom of said pressure-pot, means whereby the level of the metal in said melting-pot, relativelyr to said eport, may be changed to flow metal into said pressure-pot through said port, means whereby fluidpressure may be supplied ,to said pressurepot to` discharge metal therefrom through said duct into a mold, and means controlling said ressure.

ressure-pot located in said melting-pot and aving an open port in its upper .portion normally above the level of'metal in said melting-pot, mean's for maintaining metal in said pots' at the required temperature, means whereby the level of the metal in said melting-pot, relatively to said "port, may be changed toilowv met-al into said pressure-potv through said ort, means whereby fluid- .pressure may e supplied to said pressurepot to discharge metal therefrom into a mold, and means controlling said pressure.

4. In a casting apparatus,-a melting-pot, a

pressure-pot, having therein a duct extendlng downwardly to a 'point near the bottom thereof, and a nozzle projecting from said pot and in communication with said duct through an open port, said nozzle being normally above the level ofthe metal in said melting-pot, means for maintaining metal in 4said pots at the required temperature, means whereby the level of the metal in said melting-pot, relatively to said nozzle, may be changed to flow metal into said pressure-pot 3. n a casting apparatus, a melting-pot, a

through said nozzle and said duct, means whereby fluid-pressure may be sup lied to said pressure-pot to discharge meta therefrom through said duct and said nozzle into a mold, and means controlling saidressure.

5. In a casting apparatus, the com ination of a melting-pot, a pressure-pot located in said melting-pot and having an open port in its upper portion normally above the level of metal in said melting-pot, a displacer whereby the molten metal in said melting-pot may be overlowed into said pressure-pot, meansy whereby fluid-pressure may be sup lied to said pressure-pot to discharge meta therefrom into a mold, and means controlling said pressure. l

6. In a casting apparatus, a melting-pot, a pressure-pot havin an open port in its upper portion and normay above the level of metal in said melting-pot, means maintaining metal in said ots at the required temperature, means W ereby the level of the metal in said melting-pot relative to said port, may be changed to ow metal intosaid pressure-pot through said port, a movable mold-carrier, means carried thereby whereby communication may be established. between said port anda mold supported on said carrier, means whereby fluid-pressure may be supplied to said pressure-pot to discharge metal therefrom into a mold, and means controlling said pressure.

#In a casting apparatus, a melting-pot, a pressure-pot having therein a duct extending downwardly to a oint near the bottom thereof, and' a nozzlle projecting from said pot andin communication with said duct through an open port, said nozzle being normally above the level of the metal in said melting-pot, means maintaining metal in said pots at the re uired temperature, means wherebgT the leve of the metal i-n said meltingpotl relative to said nozzle may be changedl to llo-w metal into said pressure-pot through saidl nozzle and' said duct, a movable moldcarrier, means carried thereby whereby communication may be established between said nozzle and a mold supported on said carrier, means whereby iuid-pressurepmay be supplied to said pressure-pot to discharge metal therefrom through said duct and said nozzle into a mold and means controlling said pres-y sure.

8. In a casting apparatus, the combination of a melting-pot, a pressure-pot'located in said meltin -pot and having an opening in its upper portlon, a duct within said pressurepot, and a discharge-'nozzle projecting beyond the duct through said opening, a movable mold-carrier, means carried thereby whereby communication may be established between .said nozzleand amold supported on said carrier, a displacer whereby the molten metal in said melting-pot-may be overlowed into said pressure-pot, means whereby Huidpressure may be supplied said pressure-pot, and means controlling same.

' 9. In a casting apparatus, the'combination of a meltingpotapressurepot located in said pot and having a nozzle in its upper portion, a displacer to cause the molten metal in said melting-pot to overflow into said pressurepot, means to force metal from said pressurepot, a movable mold-carrier provided with a conductor to cooperate with said nozzle, and means whereby said carrier may be pressed towardsaid pressure-pot to make a tight joint between said conductor and said nozzle. I

10. Inga castin apparatus, vthe combination of means to eliver molten metal under pressure, a movable mold-carrier to coperate with said means, a lever pivoted on'said carrier, and a stationary bearing-surface upon which said lever has a movable bearing whereby said carrier may be moved to disconnect the mold thereon from said means to deliver .metal 1'1. In a casting apparatus, thecombination of a pot adapted to contain molten metal and provided with a nozzle, means to discharge the metal from said plot, a movable mold-carrier tol coperate wit said nozzle, a lever pivoted upon said mold-carrier and a stationary bearing-surface upon which said lever has a movable bearing whereby said mold-carrier may be disengaged from said nozzle.

12. In a casting apparatus, the combination of a pot adapted to contain molten metal and provided with an outlet, means. to dis- IOC charge the metal from said pot, a movable mold-carrier, tracks in which said carrier is movable to bring the ingate of the mold in line with said outlet, tracks to supportsaid' JAMES BEAKBANE.

In presence of A SAMUEL F. CHAPPELL,

HAROLD S. BRIGHAM. 

